Canton sister shares her sibling's struggle

Thursday

Sep 4, 2014 at 10:45 AMSep 4, 2014 at 10:45 AM

(This is the second in a series on Canton walkers participating in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk)Kaitlin McKinley, 25, of Canton, views her life in two segments. There was life before her younger sister, Madison, was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) during a routine kindergarten check-up with her pediatrician and then there has been every day since.For the last 12 years, Maddy, now 19, has battled ALCL, going to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic for chemotherapy treatments, all while keeping a smile on her face. Kaitlin’s grandmother, Beverly, is a two-time cancer survivor and her cousin, Drew, who was more like a brother to her, and her grandfather, Bob, both lost their lives to the disease.Her family’s experience with cancer is the reason Kaitlin works in Dana-Farber’s Development Department and is her motivation to participate in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. Her family’s experience with cancer is also the reason she met her fiancé, Tim Becker, whose younger sister is also a Jimmy Fund Clinic patient and a friend of Maddy’s.For this reason, on Sunday, Sept. 21, Kaitlin McKinley will lace up her sneakers to participate in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai. She will be among more than 8,500 people expected to walk in the 26th annual event, to raise more than $7.5 million for the Jimmy Fund for lifesaving adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.McKinley, a 2011 Boston College graduate, will tackle the Boston College five-mile route with members of her family, including Maddy, waiting for her at the official Copley Square finish. This will be her third Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk experience.This year’s event will bring the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk’s 26-year fundraising total to more than $100 million. To register or to support a walker, visit www.JimmyFundWalk.org or call 866-531-9255.